that's kind of how i view karl rove. i don't think he is done. i think he still has too many connections. >> i'll concede. ed, i will concede when i wrote the kicker to that piece and made that statement, you know, if you take that in isolation, it sounds pretty conclusive and final. i know karl viewed it that way. but i take your point. >> quickly, howard, how unpopular is mitch mcconnell in kentucky? could he be in trouble? >> well, put it this way -- first all, the republican base doesn't really like him. partly because he is from louisville. partly because he is an insider in washington. he has never been wildly popular in the state. and he is not really down home friendly kind of guy in the kentucky mold. he has never been wildly popular. he is not hated, he is just not liked. >> howard fineman, great to have you on tonight. thank you so much. >> thanks, ed. >> that's "the ed show" tonight. "the rachel maddow show" starts right now. >> thanks at home for you staying with us the next hour. rachel has the night off, but there is lots going on